Humira - Been referred - what happens next?

ifeelninety
ifeelninety Member Posts: 57
edited 24. Nov 2009, 09:19 in Living with Arthritis archive
Evening all

Had my rheumy app today and he has referred me for screening tests for Anti tnf - Humira.

Not sure what will happen next, and would appreciate if anyone could give me an idea.

I have been on Methotrexate, Sulpha, and Leflun, and had to come off them all due to white blood count falling. Been getting by( well struggling by really) on Prednisolone now 7mg, and hydroxychloroquie but just living for each steroid injection as it is the only thing that seems to work for me. :roll:

I was also wondering how long the selection process and screening actually takes.

Thanks to all :)

Comments

  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ifeelninety (I do too sometimes!!!)

    I've been on Humira for four+ yrs now and take in combo with MTX. From what I remember it did take couple months to get through screening process as you have to have chest XRay and TB skin test as well as bloods. Good luck! hope it all works out well for you...Dorcas x
  • harmony
    harmony Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ifeelninety
    I have been on Humira for 12 weeks now. It did take a long time to get going, more blood tests and screening for TB, and of course it has to go in front of a panel of consultants for assessing,
    Have the nurses done what I call the prod tests yet? You know the one where they press on all your joints to see how high you jump :!: :!: It took them about 3 months to sort out when I could start on Humira, but on it now, up and down days and nursey says it will take 3-4 months to absorb into the body and start working well, then I can start reducing the steroids yippee :D
    Hope it all goes well for you
    Pammi
  • kezzo1
    kezzo1 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well i started on mtx tablets then injects tried sultha now on humira, tests wise they do a score test on how many joints hurt and swollen and do some calculations on a calc and come up with a score if its high enough u go through for funding of humira which can take a month, if u get funding then they start u on humira i personally had great time with it fab stuff good luck xx